Kathmandu, Sept 8: Only the CPN-UML has backed the government’s decision to shut down 26 unregistered social media platforms at once, citing compliance with a court order. All other parties, including ruling partner Nepali Congress, have opposed the move.
The government decided last Thursday to block 26 platforms not listed in Nepal. Congress quickly convened its executive committee to discuss the issue. Leaders present opposed the shutdown. Party president Sher Bahadur Deuba chaired the meeting, where members stressed that Congress is not against free expression and urged the leadership to issue a formal stance. Ministers from the party will be consulted before a final decision.
Leaders questioned why the government suddenly closed platforms it already knew were unregistered. They also criticized selective enforcement of court orders, arguing that the directive to draft a law had been misinterpreted. General Secretary Gagan Thapa said if the process had gone through parliament, broad debate would have taken place. He maintained regulation, not blanket bans, was needed.
Thapa noted that millions rely on social media for daily life, business, and communication, and restrictions would curtail freedom of expression and the right to information. He called for swift lawmaking instead of ad hoc directives.
Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala said the government had failed to act on people’s expectations and was now hiding behind a court order.
The main opposition Maoist Centre objected to the decision, saying it bypassed parliament where the relevant bill is pending. Party vice-chair and spokesperson Agni Sapkota said the move was unconstitutional and showed ill intent.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party said the decision severely obstructed information flow. Its communication head, Sumana Shrestha, argued that social media is no longer just for entertainment but central to rights, education, business, and research. The party called it a direct assault on citizens’ rights and democratic values, demanding reversal.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party warned the move signaled authoritarianism. Spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said the government was imposing failure-driven decisions on the people instead of finding solutions through dialogue.
The CPN (Unified Socialist) accused the government of trying to silence opposition voices on social media. Leader Prakash Jwala said the step was about control, not regulation, and pledged solidarity with protests against it.
Madhes-based parties also criticized the decision. The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal called it deeply undemocratic. Party spokesperson Manish Suman warned of revenue losses, saying fewer people would buy telecom data packages, cutting into state income. He asked how the government planned to offset the loss if platforms remained shut.
The Janamat Party also said social media should be regulated, not controlled. Spokesperson Dr Sharad Singh Yadav argued that citizens must be allowed to experience the 21st century without arbitrary restrictions.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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